AISD ISC Curriculum Gazette
March 2019
Nine Weeks
Well, it's about as long as The Voyage of the Mayflower (9.4 weeks) and about as long as the famous voyage in 1492 to "America" (10 weeks).It's about 100 times as long as The First light bulb test (Edison, 1879) and about seven-tenths as long as The First spaceflight (Sputnik - 13 weeks).
Some amazing things can happen in nine weeks! Keep on keeping on and thanks for ALL you do!
Source: https://www.bluebulbprojects.com/MeasureOfThings/results.php?comp=time&unit=w&amt=9&sort=pr&p=1
Preparing This Generation
The readings have been very interesting. One thing I highlighted mentioned that this generation is not unmotivated, they are differently motivated. This generation is, "...looking for things to engage and interest them. Many are hyper-engaged, but in order for them to commit themselves, the bar is higher. If you can get them engaged, the results are extraordinary. But if you want them to do Henry Ford --assembly line kinds of stuff--where they are expected to show up with their bodies, but not their minds--you won't engage them." (Creating Innovators by Wagner)
Another book by Wagner, (Most Likely to Succeed) states, "Fifty years ago, before the Internet, it made sense for schools to teach kids just facts. But in today's world there is no longer a competitive advantage in knowing more than the person next to you. Now adults need to be able to ask great questions, critically analyze information, form independent opinions, collaborate, and communicate effectively."
Of course as educators, we do have some parameters given to us by state mandated testing, but perhaps we should ask ourselves if the way we are delivering our instruction is aligning with the skills the students of today need: critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration, adaptability, initiative, oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information, curiosity and imagination--asking good questions.
My challenge to you this nine weeks is to look for ways you can engage students by changing your delivery of instruction.
Thanks for all you do!
Anna Holmgreen
Teaching with Mistakes
Here are some highlights:
- Stop marking errors on tests and papers without explaining why they're wrong. Give enough explanation to help your student understand what went wrong and how to fix it. A big red X is insufficient.
- Give students a chance to correct their mistakes and redo their work. This allows mistakes to become learning opportunities.
- Improvement must become a significant factor in the evaluation process. The more a student improves, the higher his or her grade. Nothing shows learning from mistakes more than improvement.
- When a student makes a mistake in a class discussion, don't say things like, "No, wrong, can anyone help him?" Don't just call on someone else without further comment. Instead, ask the student, "Why do you think so? Can you give an example? If you could ask yourself a question about your answer, what would it be?"
- My friend and colleague, Madeline Hunter, suggested starting with what is right. If a teacher asks, "Who was the first president of the United States?" and a student answers, "Barack Obama," instead of saying, "You're wrong," try saying, "Barack Obama is a president, you're right about that. However, he wasn't the first. Let's go further back in history." Even silly answers can be responded to in this way.
- If a student needs help with an answer, let him or her choose a classmate to help. Call the helper something like a "personal consultant."
- Instead of (or at least in addition to) walls filled with students' achievements, have a wall where students can brag about their biggest mistakes and what they learned from them.
- Have biweekly class meetings where students share a mistake they made, what happened after, and what they learned.
- Be sure to tell the class about your own mistakes, especially if they are funny, and what you learned from them.
To read the whole article click here: Teaching with Mistakes
March 29th Campus Staff Development
Campuses are setting their agendas for the wonderful learning opportunities that will occur on Friday, March 29th. Administrators are utilizing comprehensive needs assessments and data to hone in on the support provided to staff.
New Professional Learning Project Coordinator - Theresa Sands
Theresa began her career as a teacher’s assistant, transitioning to an elementary public school teacher and then into instructional leadership roles at the campus, district, and regional levels. She brings knowledge and expertise in areas such as dyslexia, instructional rigor, response to intervention, and teacher and principal standards. Recently she supported the University of Texas at Austin where she provided professional development and support for teachers and instructional leaders across the state.
Theresa has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary education with an emphasis in early childhood, a Master of Education degree with an emphasis in adult and higher education, and a reading specialist certification from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She also has mid-management and superintendent certifications from Texas A&M University–San Antonio.
We welcome Terry and look forward to working with her to oversee our professional development needs.
Upcoming STAAR Dates
Grade 4 & 7 Writing
Grade 5 & 8 Mathematics
English I
April 10
Grade 5 & 8 Reading
April 11
English II
No One Goes Backward
How can each teacher ensure their instruction makes a positive difference in accountability?
The easiest way to help students succeed is simply to make sure they score about the same as they did the previous year.
If you teach a ELAR and Math and students have tested the year prior, be aware of how they scored (58%, 83%). Set goals with those students to score at least that well or perhaps a little better. That will go a long way to helping Domain 2, Student Progress.
It is no longer good enough to make sure all our students pass at the Approaches level, we must make sure students set goals and we help them achieve at or above their previous level. We don't want students at any level to fall backward. If they scored at Masters and are still at Masters level, but have fallen back, that will be a lack of progress.
Have discussions with students about how they previously scored and set some goals together.
ISIP Reading April 1-12 & ISIP Math April 8-18
Istation and STAAR Correlations
Furthermore, as we adjust and reassess our intervention plans remember to utilize the lessons within Istation that can help us to specfically address our STAAR standards. From your home screen, select the "Help Center" button. On the next screen, look for the Interactive User's Guide and select.Once the IUG opens up, look to the menu on the left and click "State Specific Information" and select Texas STAAR Standards.
Once there, you can simply click on your grade level and select the Istation Teacher Tools (lessons, activities etc) that will help you strengthen students' skills related to specific STAAR standards. This will guarantee that you are selecting intervention resources that are correlated to STAAR and are differentiated based on student needs.
Worth Taking a Look
Summer Math Academies
Math Academies will be offered at the service center for ALL teachers that did not have the opportunity to attend in the past. Teachers who successfully complete one of the 3-day trainings are eligible to receive a $300 stipend. Instructional facilitators can attend if seats are available but are not eligible to receive the stipend. As for the teachers who have moved grade levels, if they have previously attended a math academy and received the stipend in the past, they may attend a different one now but will not be eligible to receive the stipend again.
Mathematics Achievement Academy, Grade 2
Workshop 1492495
June 25-27, 2019
https://www.escweb.net/tx_r2/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1492495
Mathematics Achievement Academy, Grade 3
Workshop 1492491
June 11-13, 2019
https://www.escweb.net/tx_r2/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1492491
Mathematics Achievement Academy: Problem Solving and Discourse, Grade 2 Blended Learning (NEW)
Workshop #1517701
Day 1: Friday, March 22, 2019 (8:30-11:30 @ ESC)
Day 2: Thursday, May 2, 2019 (8:30 – 11:30 @ ESA)
https://www.escweb.net/tx_r2/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1517701
Corpus Christi Author Diana Lopez Visits with Alice ISD Students
Staff and students were able to take pictures with Mrs. Lopez and purchase her book which she autographed.
Another Success Conference in the Books! Alice ISD's 7th Annual Conference & Health Fair
Alice ISD also gave each attendee a colorful backpack with a school supply kit. During the Literacy Session, guests were provided with a bag filled with supplies and resources that could be used to create literacy activities to enjoy with their children at home. Free books were also given away during the Literacy Session courtesy of the Alice ISD Federal Programs Department.
While guests attended sessions, children in the child-care area were watching a movie, playing bingo, competing in hula hoop contests, coloring, learning about fire safety with our Alice Fire Department or shooting baskets with our AHS Athletic coaches. We would like to thank the AISD staff members, Alice High School NHS students and the students in the TOPS program who helped with all the activities in the child-care area.
Before the day was over, guests were treated to a delicious enchilada lunch provided by Aramark food services, and numerous door prizes were given away during the closing remarks of the conference.
Presentations were held on the following topics:
- Active Shooter Training by: David Valadez - Alice Police Department
- Literacy Fun Make-n-Take by: Alice ISD Reading Interventionists
- Cyber Safety in a Tech Saavy World: Agent Heath Hardwick -Dept. of Homeland Security
- A Parent's Guide to Recognizing Self Harm & Suicide: Nadia Moreno - Alice ISD
- Stopping the Cycle of Family & Domestic Violence: Cassandra Huye - The Purple Door
- Dangers of Prescription Drugs: Kingsley Nwogu - CVS Pharmacy
- Parental Involvement is Fundamental - Mr. Antolin Garza
- More Than Sad: Recognizing Signs of Depression: Texas Department of State Health Services
During our general session, guest speaker Jonathan Medina inspired our audience members and urged them to never lose sight of their BIG DREAMS. With an incredible story of overcoming adversity, Jonathan shared his life's mission to inspire students to dream big and to encourage parents and educators to help empower today's youth. Despite the difficult home life Jonathan experienced, he still managed to graduate from high school and attend the Ivy League college of Georgetown University where he played Division I football.
Jonathan's grandfather made a significant impact on him and taught him an important lesson: "En esta vide hay que luchar, which means, "In this life we must fight."
Antolin Garza presenting: Parent Involvement is Fundamental
Heath Hardwick's presentation on Cyber Safety
Officer David Valadez on Active Shooter Training
AISD Reading Specialists
Literacy Fun Make N Take Session
Active Shooter: What Parent's Need to Know
Small, Medium and BIG DREAMS
Georgetown University Proud
Dr. Scarbrough taking part in Medina's presentation
Special Recognition for Conference Support
On behalf of the Alice ISD administration and staff we are extremely grateful to those who came out to participate in our annual conference. Additional thanks to Alice ISD directors, community vendors and each AISD campus for providing many of the wonderful door prizes that were given away. We would also like to recognize the Alice High School NHS students and their sponsor, Jessica Cantu for helping with our vendor hospitality. Finally, a special thanks to Marta Salazar, Sandra Smithwick, Lisa Lozano, the AISD nurses, parent liaisons, maintenance department and central office staff for helping to ensure this event was a success.
Special Recognition to our Conference Vendors:
- AHS Junior Police Academy
- Alice HS Early College High School
- Alice ISD Technology Department
- Aramark
- Walgreens
- Driscoll Health Plan
- Edward Jones
- United Connections Counseling
- Maximus Texas Health Steps/Star
- Alice ISD Nursing Staff
- Alice ISD SHAC
- Alice High School HOSA
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
- Dr. Carl Scarbrough - Alice ISD Superintendent
- GNC
- Fit 24
- Vela-Loftin Dental
- Community Action Corporation of South Texas
- Alice Fire Department
- Jim Wells County Juvenile Probation Office
- Dr. Roel Valadez Advanced Dental
- Altus Hospice of Corpus Christi
- 79th Judicial District Attorney Carlos O. Garcia
- Brush Country CASA
- Jim Wells County Chiropractic
- The Purple Door
A Huge Debt of Gratitude to Our Conference Sponsors
Alice ISD Curriculum
Email: anna.holmgreen@aliceisd.net
Website: www.aliceisd.net
Location: #2 Coyote Trail
Phone: 361-664-0981
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliceISD